July/August July/August July/August Celebrations Celebrations Celebrations of the of the of the 275th Anniversary of of of Boehm’s Church! Boehm’s Church! Boehm’s Church! The next 275th Anniversary event will be the… Inside this issue: Events and Announcements 1 Pastor’s Letter 2 Missions & Outreach 4 Birthdays 5 History Corner 5 Kid’s Page 6 Ministries of Worship 7 Calendar 8 July/August 2015 July/August 2015 July/August 2015 Beams Beams Beams from from from Boehm’s Boehm’s Boehm’s Boehm’s United Church of Christ No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here! On Sunday, July 19th at 10:00 a.m. In the winter of 1818 at St. Nicholas’ Church at Obendorf, a village near Salzburg, Austria, Joseph Mohr, the assistant to the priest, faced a dilemma! It was just days before Christmas, and the church organ— which was so important to providing music for the Christmas services— was broken. Apparently some church mice got a little hungry and ate some holes into the leather bellows. Since the organ repairman was not a local of the village it would actually be months before re- pairs could be made—and Christmas would be long past. Mohr’s solution to the problem of the broken organ resulted in one of the most popular Christmas carols of all time. Do you know what it was? Come join us for the “Christmas in July” worship service on July 19th and find out...and learn more about this and other favorite car- ols of the church. Come Join us for a morning of worship, German Christmas carols and cookies! “Yule” be glad you did!
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July/August July/August July/August
Celebrations Celebrations Celebrations of the of the of the
BeamsBeamsBeams fromfromfrom Boehm’sBoehm’sBoehm’s Boehm’s United Church of Christ
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
On Sunday, July 19th
at 10:00 a.m.
In the winter of 1818 at St. Nicholas’ Church at Obendorf, a village
near Salzburg, Austria, Joseph Mohr, the assistant to the priest,
faced a dilemma!
It was just days before Christmas, and the church organ— which
was so important to providing music for the Christmas services—
was broken. Apparently some church mice got a little hungry and
ate some holes into the leather bellows. Since the organ repairman
was not a local of the village it would actually be months before re-
pairs could be made—and Christmas would be long past. Mohr’s
solution to the problem of the broken organ resulted in one of the
most popular Christmas carols of all time. Do you know what it was?
Come join us for the “Christmas in July” worship service on July
19th and find out...and learn more about this and other favorite car-
ols of the church.
Come Join us for a morning of worship,
German Christmas carols and cookies!
“Yule” be glad you did!
Page 2 Boehm’s United Church of Christ
Dear Family and Friends of Boehm’s Church,
Over the past several days, I’ve been watching closely, via the news and the internet,
the happenings of Synod 30 in Cleveland . As you may recall, every two years the Unit-
ed Church of Christ gathers for General Synod—bringing together thousands of faithful
UCC delegate members for formal church witness, inspirational worship and fellowship.
The purpose of General Synod is “to listen for and discern the call of God to the United
Church of Christ. The General Synod deliberates, discerns, and identifies the mission of the wider
church of the United Church of Christ in God’s world and receives and offers suggestions, invitations,
challenges, and assistance in covenant with Local Churches, Conferences, and other settings as they
engage in mission together” (from Article IX, 53, of the UCC Constitution and Bylaws). In other words, it’s sets the
direction for the work of national church and urges the local churches, who are autonomous, yet respon-
sible to one another, to be in partnership with that vision.
Among the highlights of the business of the General Synod has been the election of the Rev. Dr. John
Dorhauer as the eighth President and General Minister of the UCC. There were also several resolution
adopted, including:
Urging Socially Responsible Investment Practices.
Advocating for Changing the Racially Demeaning Name, Mascot and Imagery of the Washington National Foot-ball League Team.
Observing 100 Years Since the Armenian Genocide.
Approving Full Communion with the United Church of Canada. A “full communion” is an agreement for two or more churches to recognize each others' sacraments and the ordination of ministers, allowing them to be
called by congregations of either denomination.
Renewing Commitment to Being a "Just Peace" Church. For nearly two decades, the Just Peace Church pro-gram has been a grassroots movement of UCC congregations committed to corporately naming and boldly
proclaiming a public identity as a justice-doing, peace-seeking church.
Developing Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged Congregations for Mental Health.
Dismantling Discriminatory Systems of Mass Incarceration in the United States.
Dismantling the New Jim Crow. “New Jim Crow” is a term coined by Michelle Alexander to describe the dis-enfranchisement, marginalization and re-subjugation of African Americans as the result of the so-called “War
on Drugs,” various get-tough-on-crime policies and the relaxation of constitutional protections.
Calling for Peace, Justice and Reunification in the Korean Peninsula.
As you can see, the UCC continues to be in the forefront in the struggle for justice and in calling for the
end to racism and other forms of discrimination in the United States and the world. But it’s more than
that. It’s more. As the Rev. Dwayne Royster, a keynote preacher at General Synod and UCC pastor from
Philadelphia, proclaimed during his sermon that we are summoned to do justice, not just preach justice.
He charged the people to “get into the streets with people who suffer the deepest.” He charged us to
“change the damn world.” Nope. That’s not an expletive. That’s a theological term and a spiritual con-
dition. He went on to say, “We need to get back to believing that God uses us to make miracles.” He
went on to say, “Are you ready?” And the worshipers present shouted “Yes!”
How about us at Boehm’s Church? Are we ready?
Peace,
Pastor Bill
Page 3 Beams from Boehm’s
We Welcomed Five New Members!We Welcomed Five New Members!We Welcomed Five New Members!
On Sunday, May 31st, we welcomed
Meredith MacVittie and Oliver Will, Georgia Wisen, and Bonita and Ed
Grady into membership at Boehm’s Church. During the worship service,
there was a time of welcoming and sharing when their “journey
companions” invited them to come forward and be received into
membership. Al and Fran Slingluff
shared a special welcome for
Meredith and Oliver, noting their
active presence already at Boehm’s
Church. Meredith is a valued
presence on the History Committee.
Judy Keller (representing Marie Hagner who could not be
present) extended a welcome to Georgia Wisen, noting that
her voice—especially her singing voice—has added greatly
to our mix. And, finally, Catharine Coryell and Pastor Bill
shared stories of joy about Ed and Bonita Grady.
After the new members expressed their desire and commitment to become members at
Boehm’s Church, the congregation stood and said these words:
“We welcome you with joy in the common life of Boehm’s Church. We covenant with you to equip
one another for the transforming work to which we feel called: striving for peace and justice among
all people; protecting and restoring the integrity of all God’s creation; bringing hope to those most
vulnerable; and witnessing to God’s eternal love and grace.”
Welcome Meredith, Oliver,Georgia, Bonita and Ed!!!Welcome Meredith, Oliver,Georgia, Bonita and Ed!!!Welcome Meredith, Oliver,Georgia, Bonita and Ed!!!
We Celebrated Our Cemeteries!We Celebrated Our Cemeteries!We Celebrated Our Cemeteries!
On Wednesday, June 24th, more that thirty people joined us at Boehm’s Church for a special gathering
of the Colonial Churches Group. It was a memorable day that included a discussion about the
opportunities and concerns that cemeteries bring to the churches that maintain them. There was a panel
of guest speakers that included Ms. Carol Yaster, the president of the board of directors of the Friends of
Laurel Hill Cemetery; Mr. John A. Dougherty, a licensed funeral director with R. L. Williams, Jr. Funeral
Home; and (our own) Mr. Al Slingluff. Al shared with the participants some of the developments
happening here at Boehm’s Church regarding the cemetery. Pastor Bill facilitated the discussion.
Among the many topics discussed were measures that can be taken to protect cemeteries at risk;
forming friend societies in support of cemeteries; and, changing trends in funeral practices including
scattering grounds and various cremation options.
There was also a wonderful display of Victorian funeral items thanks to Bob Reese. The day concluded
with a wonderful lunch of sandwiches and salad. Thank you to everyone who made the day so special—
especially Mabel Whittock, Judy Keller, Lorraine Nowlan and Pat Delp!
Page 4 Boehm’s United Church of Christ
Help Needed!
Hope Gardens, the ministry of Interfaith Housing Alliance, has
asked Boehm’s to provide the food for their summer picnic on
Wednesday, July 15th. The COG team has agreed to take on this
project. There is a sign up sheet in the lobby of Fellowship hall with
suggestions of items you can donate to help make a great evening
for the families. If you are
unable to get to the church to sign up, please contact Judy Keller by
phone or email and let her know how you can help. Think picnic
foods like baked beans, all types of salads, and desserts. Thank you
in advance for your assistance!
We Remembered OurWe Remembered OurWe Remembered Our